Simulator Built for Rare Heavy-Lift Helicopter

Entrol, a manufacturer of EASA and FAA certified flight simulators, has begun development of its first Bell 214ST simulator, to be operated by McDermott Aviation in Australia. The contract began with a first milestone payment in June 2026, with installation scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.

The simulator is based on the Bell 214ST, a heavy-lift single-engine aircraft with few operating units left globally. entrol approached the project as a bespoke development due to the aircraft's highly customized cockpit configuration.

The configuration includes Mixed Reality (MR) goggles, allowing pilots to interact with physical cockpit controls while immersed in a virtual environment. For aerial firefighting and cargo training, entrol has developed a Mission Scenarios Package powered by Unreal Engine IG, featuring 5 specific elevated helipads and an option of 10 specific airports and heliports.

John McDermott, president at McDermott Aviation, said: "As we progress the McDermott 214ST program, our focus extends beyond the aircraft itself. We're building a complete support ecosystem that includes training, engineering, maintenance and operational capability for current and future operators. The addition of the Entrol simulator is an important part of that commitment. It will provide a highly realistic training environment that supports pilot familiarisation, recurrent training and operational readiness, while reflecting the modern avionics and systems being incorporated into the next generation of the McDermott 214ST platform."

The device features an enwall LED visual system, a cockpit vibration system, and a debriefing station with an iPad using remote IOS for post-mission reviews.